Augustus Johns ability as portrait artist won him the admiration of fellow artists; public recognition and the Order of Merit. William Douglas Homes play presents various points in the Bohemian artists turbulent life from 1944 ndash; 1961 through a reconstruction of sittings with three of his subjects (all played by the same actor) ndash; General Bernard Montgomery; fellow artist Mathew Smith and designer Cecil Beaton. This keenly observed; sensitive play is finely interwoven with the thread of Johns gradually developing pacifism ndash; from his certainty in spring 1944 that Montys young ADC will not survive the second front; to wars devastating effect on Matthew Smith; to Johns vibrant fear of the nuclear nightmare and his own approaching death. The first production of this play in 24 years; Portraits commemorates the 50th anniversary of the death of artist Augustus John.
#1265923 in eBooks 2012-10-30 2012-10-30File Name: B00AKF0W2G
Review
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful. A Gem of a BookBy Jerrold I. Keilson"Shakespeare in Kabul" is that rare book; an unexpected gem of a story. It tells the story of a group of international aid workers based in Afghanistan who see an opportunity to stage a Shakespeare play in Kabul; to make the point that Afghanistan had changed; and to bring great art and culture to the country. The authors; who were involved in the production to differing degrees; tell the story of how they worked with Afghan actors; international non-governmental organizations and the Afghan government to get the play staged. However; like a gemstone; each time you turn the story you see another startling facet."Shakespeare in Kabul" is first of all a recitation of how a director located actors; revised Loves Labours Lost to make it relevant to Afghanistan and put it into Dari; rehearsed; staged and put on the play in several venues in 2005 and 2006. Its also a story of resilience; of how Afghans survived thirty years of war and about the scars they bear. Its a story of how culture transcends boundaries; how the language of Shakespeare works as well in Afghanistan as in England. And its a story of how culture can break boundaries; since the play marks the first time in a generation that men and women appeared on the same stage in Afghanistan; and that men and women sat together in an audience to see a play.The authors; Stephen Landrigan (a development worker and playwright) and Qais Omar (journalist) alternate writing sections. Their voices are unique and distinct; and lend their own dynamic tension to the narrative. All in all; this is a book worth reading.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Storytelling At Its BestBy earth songI havent been "in touch"; with Shakespeare since my schooldays[50 +]and what I knew about Afghanistan was bombs ; burqas and war [think-CNN].Now; Thanks to Stephen Landrigan and Qais Akbar Omars spirited gift of story; we are given a feeling of being right there. For me the beauty of this book was the many people I "met" and how each one was needed to bring this play into being. The wholeness of history; culture; poetry;landscape; and most of all the beauty of the Afghan people; their steadfast loyalty to each other ; good humor in rough times ;their unbroken spirits; the courage to share their sorrows;and an amazing ability to create just what was needed for this play to work. Im blessed I met them and I think you will be to.Make yourself a cup of tea; take a deep breath-open your mind-open your heart and give yourself this gift of story.10 of 11 people found the following review helpful. A Triumph!By Janie828"Shakespeare in Kabul" is a full-on TRIUMPH!!Brilliant! Poignant! Tender! Inspired! .... at times amusing.... gut-wrenching... heart-warming ... a rare intimate view!What a gift to share this wonderful story! It is masterful! It brings you right to the heart of war-ravaged Afghanistan and draws you in to experience the daily rhythms; successes; set-backs and achievements of this courageous troupe of determined thespians and writers. The characters; representing widely differing cultures and speaking different languages; work together and find their way through their own comedic and tragic scenes and through moments of intense frustration; mystified; and sometimes entertained by their intrinsic differences. "Shakespeare in Kabul" allows you to savor and share their personal journeys as politics and power struggles continue to explode around them.This book is rich in its insight and its poetry... and in all it exposes of the humanity; the cruelty; the courage; the inventiveness; the wisdom; the determination; the color; the dust; the repression and the compassion of the characters and cultures it portrays.... a play.... within a play... within a play. Brilliant!